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Q&A about the new immigration law in Hungary 2 – Expiring permits

Last updated on 2 February 2024.

This is the second part of our series about the 2024 changes to the Hungarian immigration law, and their implications for foreigners living, working, and doing business in Hungary. In this post, we discuss questions about permits expiring in the first months of 2024 — how and when to renew them and what restrictions apply. Please read carefully, to make sure you don’t miss an important deadline.

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Some questions about expiring permits

I heard that the Immigration office will be closed in January and February. What if my residence permit expires in February?

Since you cannot submit a new Hungarian residency application in January or February, all residence permits that expire in this period are automatically extended until the end of April 2024. You will be able to submit your application starting from 1 March 2024.

By then, the new immigration law will be in force, so there is a chance that you will need to apply for a residence permit that is different from what you currently have. Alternatively, if you submit you application and pay the fees before 1 January, you can apply for the same type of residency you have now.

Can I use my automatically extended residence permit when I travel in Europe?

The text of the new immigration law does not specify this, unfortunately. Based on previous experience (e.g. during the first coronavirus outbreak in 2020), whether you can use your automatically extended residence permit that still displays the old expiry date strongly depends on border control in the countries you enter.

We will watch out for further information on this topic. Until then, make sure to check information available about your specific country of destination.

UPDATE: Our latest communication on the topic came from Hungarian Border Control. According to them, you can leave and enter Hungary freely with the expired residence permit. However, you are not allowed to enter any other European coutry with an expired document, in line with the guidelines of the European Commission.

NEW QUESTION ADDED: I have just graduated, and my student permit is expiring. Does my TAJ card get automatically extended, same as my residence permit?

Social security is tied not to your residence permit but your student status. Once your education is finished, you will be no longer insured. You can become insured again if you find a job or if you start freelancing (and pay the social security contribution yourself, among other taxes). In the meantime, you should find a private insurance to cover your healthcare.

My residence permit expires in March 2024. Will it also be extended until the end of April?

No, it will not. Only residence permits expiring in January or February 2024 will be automatically extended. Applications will reopen on 1 March 2024, and everyone whose residency expires in March will able to submit their application starting from that date.

I currently have a temporary residence permit while I am waiting for the decision on my application. It expires in February. Will it be extended automatically like other residence permits?

No, it will not. Only residence permit and permanent residence permit will be extended automatically. However, if your decision does not arrive until the expiry of your temporary permit, you will be able to extend it. While the Immigration Office will not accept new residency applications in January and February, this type of extension procedure will remain possible.

Learn more with Helpers

The Helpers Team has been providing administrative assistance to expats in Hungary, and we work on making life easier for them. Follow our series to gain more insight and get clarifications about the new Hungarian immigration law as we navigate these shifts together.